China National Silk Museum

Situated at the southern bank of the West Lake, in Hangzhou City of Zhejiang Province, China National Silk Museum is the first state-level professional silk museum in the country as well as the biggest of its kind throughout the world. It opened to the public in 1992 and since 2004 people can visit it for free.

The museum includes Silk Road Gallery, Fashion Gallery, Weaving Gallery, Conservation Gallery, Collection Hall, Brocade Hall.
National Silk Museum
 Pictures
 

Silk Road Gallery

The Silk Road Gallery of China National Silk Museum shows the history and culture of Chinese silk and Silk Road. China is the earliest country that engaged in sericulture, filature and making clothes with silk. Here you can enjoy many gorgeous silk relics discovered along the ancient Silk Road. Having gone through 5,000 years, those silk products can still leave you a strong impression.
Silk Embroidery
Exquisite Silk Embroidery
Silk Embroideries in National Silk Museum
Silk Bags
 

Fashion Gallery

This part of China National Silk Museum is really enjoyable, presenting plenty of both traditional and western silk costumes. Besides folk clothes in ancient China, the imperial robe is also on show. Those modern-style silk dresses show the results of our learning from western culture.
Silk Decoration in National Silk Museum
Western-style Silk Decoration
Silk Hat
Silk Hat
 

Weaving & Conservation Galleries

Weaving Gallery tells people how to dye and weave silk and the scientific theory of it. There are also weavers showing the whole process. Tourists are welcome to participate in the activity and do it themselves.

Stepping further into the China National Silk Museum, you will see Conservation Gallery. It presents the amazing skills to restore the silk relics.
The antique textile machinery exhibited in the Silk Museum
Old Textile Machine
 

Other Halls in China National Silk Museum

The Brocade Hall is a leisure place inside the museum, providing food, drinks, films, and some books. 
In the Collection Hall of China National Silk Museum, you can find some precious silk products.
Dragon Robe in National Silk Museum
Silk Imperial Robe

China National Silk Museum is a museum equipped with modern facilities and is dedicated to providing convenience for tourists. It offers free guide, free audio guide, free pamphlets on silk information, and even free wheelchairs for the disabled. People can also choose their favorite silk goods in the museum shop and relax in the teahouse.
 

How to get to China National Silk Museum

Take bus no. 12, 31, 42, 87 or 133, and get off at Silk Museum Station.
Hangzhou Bus / Metro Search
Entrancen Fee Free
Opening Hours Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00-17:00;
Monday: 12:00 - 17:00;
Note:
1. Visitors are not allowed to enter after 16:45.
2. On Monday during a holiday, the museum is open from 09:00 to 17:00.

Further Reading: Silk

- Last updated on Oct. 24, 2024 by Gabby Li -